The Centre has informed the National Green Tribunal that slaughterhouses and meat processing units do not need to be brought under the scope of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
The Ministry of Environment argued that existing guidelines and safeguards are sufficient to regulate these entities from an environmental perspective.
The Ministry of Environment has clashed with animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi over the necessity of including these facilities under the purview of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
Maulekhi petitioned the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last year, arguing for stricter environmental regulations on slaughterhouses and processing units. She expressed concern over the excessive water consumption, improper waste disposal leading to pollution, and the potential spread of zoonotic diseases from these facilities.
The Ministry of Environment, however, has submitted a counter-affidavit to the NGT, asserting that existing guidelines and safeguards are sufficient to ensure environmental compliance.
The affidavit is based on a report by an eight-member working group constituted by the Ministry in August 2023.
The report emphasises that current regulations, overseen by agencies like district magistrates, pollution control boards, and food safety bodies, adequately address environmental concerns.
The Ministry contends that including these facilities under the EIA would be redundant, as the primary challenge lies in enforcing existing regulations.
Maulekhi's concerns, the Ministry argues, primarily stem from the prevalence of unorganised slaughterhouses. The working group prioritises the modernization of these unregulated units to minimise environmental damage.
The report acknowledges the detrimental impact of illegal slaughterhouses, particularly those processing less than ten animals.
It recommends stricter monitoring by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in collaboration with local authorities to crack down on such operations and encourage their transition into the formal sector.
The working group proposes a multi-pronged approach. It advocates for the transformation of all unorganised slaughterhouses into "zero-waste emitting" facilities.
It also recommends financial assistance from the government to support modernization efforts, with a particular emphasis on bolstering waste management infrastructure.
Furthermore, the report underscores the need for stricter enforcement by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The emphasises the importance of stringent inspections to ensure that slaughterhouses meet food safety and pollution control standards before obtaining licences.
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